CFB UK’s Edition

Canadian Edition

Holland Edition

CrowdFunding Books

Podcast

CrowdFundBeat News Wire, Similar to how Kickstarter revolutionized crowdsourcing projects through e-payments, Lighthouse hopes to move that into the undertapped Bitcoin sphere of influence starting yesterday (Jan. 21), when the site went public on Mac, Linux, and Windows. Conceived by creator Mike Hearn, with a huge investment from noted Bitcoin entrepreneur Oliver Janssens, Lighthouse hopes to create a “specialized wallet” for decentralized crowdfunding using the blockchain that has made Bitcoin so attractive. Like Kickstarter, Lighthouse allows people to donate to causes they believe in by pledging a certain dollar (or bitcoin) figure to the project. This amount is released to the project’s organizers once the specific target has been reached using a transparent system of reporting. Unlike Kickstarter, however, donors can cancel their smart contracts at any point up until the funding target or deadline, giving donors more control and discretion over what their bitcoins are going toward. In addition, Lighthouse doesn’t charge processing fees for donations, which is the main revenue stream for Kickstarter. According to Hearn, Lighthouse is meant to “move money around” the way bitcoins are, rather than the “peer-to-peer” interactions of Kickstarter. With decentralized project “galleries” being planned for participants looking to use the system, the digital wallets (which are required for users to set up) will allow users to move funds with relative ease, and retract them as quickly. Related: Silicon Valley Rise of alternative finance conference March 5th 2015 WATCH: For all bitcoin’s growing pains, it represents the future of money and global finance. The maturation of Lighthouse as a mainstream crowdfunding site will take time, Hearn admits. Bitcoin is still a highly niche market that has taken a beating from the recent price volatility. Lighthouse’s overarching goal is to “build a case” for Bitcoin that will attract more people to the cryptocurrency and the potential it can bring to startups looking for an easy way to crowdsource their projects. As crowdfunding becomes increasingly digitized, Hearn believes that Lighthouse’s ease of use and low costs to entry, as well as rules regarding the feasibility of listed projects will enable Lighthouse to serve as the gateway for the less tech-savvy to explore Bitcoin as a feasible currency, despite the volatility. There is still a loyal base of support for the cryptocurrency, and having a decentralized way of fundraising using bitcoins that is safe and dependable could grow the currency’s base, if Hearn’s Lighthouse shines the way. Stetson University Online Master of Accountancy Program

NPRAfter Outcry, Crowdfunding Site Patreon Backs Off Plan To Raise FeesNPRThe popular crowdfunding service Patreon has backed off plans to change its payment structure, after widespread, vocal and passionate opposition from creators and their fans. Last week, the site announced it wou [...]

CoinDeskKickstarter ICO? Don't Count On It Says Crowdfunding Leader ...CoinDeskThe company most widely associated with crowdfunding, Brooklyn-based Kickstarter, has no plans to get into the initial coin offering (ICO) business. Coming in response to the news yesterday that compet [...]

HuffPostIs Crowdfunding Really a Good Idea for Innovation?HuffPostHere's a head-scratcher for you: according to new research, if you refer to your product or idea as both “novel” and “useful” in your crowdfunding campaign, your funding will be lower than it would if you just decl [...]

FortuneWant to Hold Your Own ICO? Indiegogo Can Help You With ThatFortuneCrowdfunding sites like Kickstarter (kickstarter, +0.00%) and Indiegogo raised start-up cash for a generation of online entrepreneurs, but one increasingly visible method of internet-sourced financing seemed to h [...]

ForbesCrowdfunding Do's And Dont's From iFundWomen's Karen CahnForbesDuring our conversation, she was transparent in sharing that her first software company, VProud, failed because she “did everything backwards” and spent too much time trying to perfect the product. “Pe [...]

TechCrunchFormer Gawker employees are crowdfunding an effort to buy Gawker.comTechCrunchWhile Univision acquired most of Gawker Media's sites last year (and renamed them as the Gizmodo Media Group), the deal didn't include Gawker itself. In fact, BuzzFeed reported last month [...]